Today's Special - - Juliana Stone

PJ here.  It's my pleasure to welcome Juliana Stone back to The Romance Dish.  I've been a fan of Juliana's writing since the publication of her debut and eagerly await each new book she writes. Whether it's paranormal, contemporary or young adult, Stone's character-driven stories never fail to engage and satisfy me. Describing herself as an "80's geek," Juliana indulges her passion for music by singing in a band in which her husband plays guitar.  A Canadian, Juliana also has a passion for hockey.   

You can find out more about Juliana and her books at her website and connect with her online at Facebook and Twitter. Please give Juliana a warm Romance Dish welcome!



Welcome back, Juliana!  Congratulations on the release of The Day He Kissed Her, the third book in your Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series.  Please tell our readers about this series and what they can expect from the new book.

Bad Boys of Crystal Lake - Book 3

Hey PJ! Glad to be back at one of my favorite online places and thanks for the congrats.  I think a lot of people were looking forward to Mac’s book and I’m so glad it’s finally here!  The idea for the series came about after I decided to write a trilogy based on three Bon Jovi songs.  This last book, The Day He Kissed Her, was originally titled Lay Your Hands On Me.  This tied in perfectly with my tortured and abused Mackenzie Draper. I wanted to write about three guys, lifelong friends and this series was perfect for that.

I love the bond that these friends share and you can count me among those who have been waiting for Mac's story.  I didn't know about the Bon Jovi tie-in!

Mac and Lily are both complex, emotionally wounded characters with no interest in a happily-ever-after.  What would you like readers to understand about each of them and what convinced you that they belonged together? 

I’ve always been attracted to books and movies about broken people. I’m one of those readers who loves to cry when they read. And this series has dealt with some pretty intense subject matter.  Death. Broken families. Lost love. Childhood abuse.  Abuse in a marriage.  The trick is to balance the darkness with some light and that’s what I love about writing contemporary romance.  For Mac, he’s been the victim of abuse at the hands of his father and he truly believes that if he had a family he would become his father. So, he’s decided it’s not for him. And Lily, well, she’s had her own demons as well, rooted in a very dysfunctional family. On some level she doesn’t believe she’ll find true love and with Mac thinking he doesn’t deserve it, they’ve got some challenges. That’s what makes their HEA all the more satisfying. Watching them grow (especially Mac) and finally accept that love does have a place in their lives and that even though a lot of us are a product of our upbringing, there are those strong enough to break the chanins.

You'll be happy to know that I cried right along with you while reading Mac and Lily's story.

Bad Boys of Crystal Lake - Book 1

I’ve fallen in love with the people of Crystal Lake and would love to see more of certain secondary characters still in search of a happy ending.  Will there be more books in this series?  Any hints about future stories that you can share?

Well, your timing is impeccable. We’re just now talking about more books so I’ll have more information on that in a few weeks, but for me personally, I’d love to see Becca (Mac’s sister) find a man worthy of her love.  And how about our mayor, Blair Hubber?

Yay!  You've made me a very happy reader!  :)

You’ve shared your thoughts about your characters.  Now let’s flip the tables.  What would your Crystal Lake bad boys – and their lovely ladies – have to say about you?  Anything that readers would be surprised to discover about you?

Oh!  Good question.  I think they would find a girl who loves family, friends and red wine! LOL, I love baseball, hockey and I hate peas. I talk to myself (a lot) and would like to skydive one day.

I think we’ve all fantasized about stepping into the shoes of our favorite heroine or being romanced by our favorite hero.  If you could step into the life of any fictional character (with an escape hatch back to your current life, of course) who would you choose and why?

Have you read the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning? (if not you’re missing out on the best urban fantasy ever) The hero Jericho Barons is freaking off the charts alpha hot.  I would love to be Mac, the heroine just so that I could have some alone time with the very lickable Barons.

Ooh, good choice!  KMM writes some incredible heroes, doesn't she?  

What’s your current favorite book by an author other than you?

Alexander from The Bronze Horseman. Oh that man gives me the swoons. Again, if you’ve not read The Bronze Horseman you need to!

I have a copy but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. Still looking for those extra reading hours in the day so I can work through my tbr mountain. 

Bad Boys of Crystal Lake - Book 2

Will you be attending any conferences or book signings where readers will have an opportunity to meet you this year? 

I am going to be in New Orleans for RT, and will be signing my young adult novel, BOYS LIKE YOU as well as The Day He Kissed Her (I believe)  I’ll also be in Texas for RWA and will be signing there as well (and looking forward to seeing you PJ!)

I can't make RT but I'll be at RWA.  Looking forward to catching up!

What’s next from Juliana Stone? 

Lots!  I just finished writing my second young adult novel and am working on JACK, which is book 2 in my self published series, The Family Simon. After that I am looking at more Crystal Lake books!

News that makes my reader's heart happy. :)

Thanks so much for visiting with us today, Juliana.  Would you like to ask our readers a question?

I’d love to know what their most anticipated read of the year is!

Great question!  Readers, one person who leaves a comment on today's post will receive a copy of The Day He Kissed Her.